The Minister for Education and Children has spoken of the importance of students displaying an appetite for wider learning when they apply for jobs or university places.

Tim Crookall MLC was speaking as he presented Open Awards to some of the 25 young learners who have gained them via the Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service and Manx Sport and Recreation.

The young people achieved the GCSE-equivalent qualifications in subjects such as leadership, youth work and photography.

Open Awards are regulated by Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, and offer flexible learning. The Youth Service is an approved centre for the awards.

The Minister said it was impressive that the young people had committed to learning in their own time.

He said: ‘When considering CVs, employers and universities like to see an appetite for further learning, carried out outside the traditional classroom setting.’

Photo - The Minister with seven of the Open Awards recipients – from left, Christopher Long, Emma Mayhew, James NcNee, Catriona Foxon, Abuu-Bakar Migoda, James Harrison and Jamie Garratt. Also pictured (right) are Youth Officer Grainne Burns and Principal Youth Officer Ken Callister.